Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli foreign ministry: The vessels and the passengers are transferred to an Israeli port, and the passengers are expected to be deported promptly.
Sumud Flotilla: Addameer vessel attacked by an Israeli military helicopter with 93 journalists, doctors and activists on board
Freedom Flotilla Coalition: The Addameer Vessel was seized by the Israeli Navy
Israeli ministry of foreign affairs says ships and passengers of the Freedom Flotilla will be transferred to an Israeli port and deported immediately
Freedom Flotilla Coalition: 3 ships attacked and illegally intercepted by Israeli occupation.
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa's motorcade comes under fire in Ecuador
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Lebanon: Israeli quadcopter drops two shells on cafe in Houla town in South Lebanon
Informed source to Al Mayadeen: SDF Commander-in-Chief Mazloum Abdi demands that al-Sharaa approve the establishment of an autonomous region similar to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
Israeli media: Three drones launched from Yemen toward Eilat in span of 20 minutes.
Qatari Foreign Ministry: "Israel" should have already ceased fire under Trump plan for Gaza

Israeli Sephardic Chief Rabbi: We'll leave if army drafting enforced

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Israeli Media
  • 10 Mar 2024 01:42
  • 3 Shares
4 Min Read

Israeli Chief Sephardic Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef's threat of a mass departure from the occupation in the event of mandatory military drafting has triggered significant controversy within the occupied territory.

  • x
  • Israeli Sephardi Chief Rabbi, Yitzhak Yosef, during a visit to the Heichal Shlomo Center in occupied al-Quds in this May 26, 2014. (AFP)
    Israeli Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef in occupied al-Quds on May 26, 2014. (AFP)

Israeli Chief Sephardic Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef threatened a mass departure from the occupation entity if mandatory military drafting was enforced, sparking a great uproar within the occupation entity. 

“If you force them to go to the army, we’ll all move abroad,” Yosef said.

Yosef's comments come amid a growing storm over "the drafting of Haredim", adding "We will buy tickets; there is no such thing as forcing us into the army. The state stands on this."

“All these secular people don’t understand that without kollels and yeshivas, the army would not be successful,” he said, referring to institutions where religious men study Jewish texts rather than working or enlisting. “The soldiers only succeed thanks to those learning the Torah.”

It is noteworthy that in 2013, Yosef's father, the former Chief Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, expressed a similar statement, indicating that they would consider relocating abroad rather than being compelled into military service in "Israel". He stated, "We may unfortunately have to depart from the Land of Israel."

Yosef's recent statement carries significant weight, particularly due to its timing, coinciding with the ongoing battles on several fronts - in the Gaza Strip and northern occupied Palestine. These ongoing confrontations have resulted in daily losses for the occupation forces, leading to noticeable strains on their internal cohesion. Moreover, there have been evident rifts among its leaders and politicians. Israeli media reports have also highlighted the prevalence of psychological crises among a considerable number of its soldiers.

Yosef's statement reflects the growing frustration among ultra-Orthodox Jews as pressure increases to abolish the policy granting a comprehensive exemption for religious school students from military service.

Related News

'Israel' raids, hijacks new Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla

'Israel' accused of abusing Australian activists from Gaza flotilla

Responses to the Rabbi's statement 

Yosef's statement sparked strong objections, with the head of the Israeli opposition, Yair Lapid, condemning them, stating, "Rabbi Yosef's words are a disgrace and an insult to the IDF soldiers who sacrifice their lives for the defense of the country. Rabbi Yosef is a state employee, with a salary from the state, he cannot threaten the state," adding that "Whoever evades the IDF will not receive a penny from the State of Israel."

In turn, the head of the "Yisrael Beytenu" party, Avigdor Liberman, wrote on his account on X: "It is a shame that Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef and the ultra-Orthodox businessmen continue to harm Israel's security and act contrary to Halacha."

Haredi Jews clash with Israeli Police

Confrontations between the Israeli occupation police force and Haredi Jews have been renewed in light of the latter's protests on Sunday in refusal of the Israeli occupation's law of mandatory conscription with the IOF. 

Reporting on the matter, Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 said hundreds of Haredis have been protesting and blocking the roads in occupied al-Quds. Chants such as "We'd rather die than serve" were repeated, while Israeli media reported intense clashes between protestors and Israeli police. 

As a result, Israeli police attempted to forcefully disperse protests.

The ultra-Orthodox slice of Israeli society rejects recruitment into the Israeli occupation's military, which may opt for a chaotic recruitment-by-force situation from the regime's authorities. As this issue reflects a grueling domestic conflict from within, the Knesset looks to attract Haredi Jews through services and material means.

It is estimated that there are about 50,000 Haredi orthodox young adults in occupied Palestine who are eligible for military recruitment in the Israeli Occupation forces (IOF). However, only 1,200 are signed up, as of 2019 statistics.

Three weeks ago, the Knesset passed a bill -- needing two more readings -- that would integrate more Ultra-Orthodox men into the military.

A Haredi journalist, Yanki Farber, suggests that if the bill comes into effect, it will be met with anger and opposition.

  • Gaza Strip
  • Israel
  • Sephardic Chief Rabbi

Most Read

Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (AP)

Tucker Carlson: Israeli officers gave orders on Iran inside Pentagon

  • Politics
  • 2 Oct 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
ap

'Israel' pays influencers $7K per post to whitewash Gaza genocide

  • Politics
  • 1 Oct 2025
Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder revealed

Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder exposed

  • Politics
  • 5 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
In this May 20, 20201, photo Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, the head of US Central Command, arrives in Baghdad, Iraq (AP)
Politics

US spent $33 billion on post-Oct.7 genocide, wars, Brown Uni reports

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., holds a news conference to mark the seventh day of the government shutdown, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025. (AP)
Politics

US troops face unpaid wages as government shutdown drags on

Mourners wave Hezbollah and a Palestinian flag during the funeral of Hezbollah former leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and his successor Sayyed Hashem Safieddine in the Sports City Stadium in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, February 23, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Hezbollah voices support for Gaza, Resistance on October 7 anniversary

Al-Aqsa Flood restored Palestinian cause on the global stage: Hamas
Politics

Al-Aqsa Flood restored Palestinian cause on the global stage: Hamas

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS